August 08, 2005
More Groundhog Day
It's getting to the point where when I read the words,
The assessment by Gen. John P. Abizaid, the head of the military's Central Command, tracks with a statement made last week by the top American general in Iraq, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., that the Pentagon could make "some fairly substantial reductions" in troops by next spring and summer if the political process in Iraq remained on track and Iraqi forces assumed more responsibility for securing the country.
I'm merely reminded of the fact that all roads out of Iraq slope down. Needless to say, the NY Times article linked above has no new hope of a reduction in forces or progress in stablizing Iraq. It's just an attempt at government propaganda, aided by the willingness to print it and foiled by the willingness to debunk it.
But in his assessment, given as part of a larger regional analysis, General Abizaid also warned that it is possible that the Pentagon might have to keep the current levels of about 138,000 American soldiers in Iraq throughout 2006 if security and political trends are unfavorable for a withdrawal. The number of troops will temporarily increase this December to provide security for Iraqi elections. And some troops leaving Iraq could be held in Kuwait as a reserve force.
Add it to the pile, I guess.
Posted by ben at August 8, 2005 07:23 AM